Why Your Prenatal Breastfeeding Class Should Be With an IBCLC (Not Just Your Hospital or Pump Company)

There’s a reason prenatal breastfeeding classes exist—they’re meant to prepare you, build your confidence, and help you get started strong. But here’s the catch: not all breastfeeding classes are created equal.

Maybe you’ve been offered one through your hospital or your pump company. And while those might seem convenient (especially if they’re free or covered by insurance), there’s something they usually don’t come with: a dedicated, experienced IBCLC who’s ready to support you long after the class ends. And when it comes to breastfeeding, it’s not just about how you start—it’s about having the support you need through the entire journey, especially when things don’t go exactly as planned.

What Makes an IBCLC-Led Prenatal Class Different?

When you take a breastfeeding class led by an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), you're getting more than just information—you’re building a relationship with a provider who can actually support you when things get real.

In our prenatal classes, we don’t just go over latch basics and milk supply. We prepare you for the highs and the hiccups: cracked nipples, cluster feeding, how to spot issues early, and how to emotionally and physically care for yourself as a feeding parent. It’s customized to you, not just a general script.

We talk about your birth plan, your past breastfeeding experiences (if you have them), your mental health, and how your body might respond in those first few days and weeks. Most importantly, we set up a plan—not for perfection, but for flexibility. Because while you can’t always predict what’s coming, you can prepare with the right person in your corner.

Hospital Classes Can Be Helpful—But Limited

Hospital-based breastfeeding classes are often taught by staff educators or nurses. While many are experienced and well-meaning, the information can be more generalized, less up-to-date, and often focused on the hospital’s specific protocols—not your personal needs.

These classes are designed for efficiency, not individualization. They rarely cover how to emotionally navigate the early feeding experience, or how to troubleshoot common issues in real time once you’re home and tired and unsure.

And once you leave the hospital, that connection typically ends. If you run into feeding issues at home (and many do!), you’ll still need to find an IBCLC for follow-up support—and by then, it might feel overwhelming to start from scratch. Having someone who knows your story from the beginning makes all the difference when things get hard at 2am.

Watch Out for “Free” Classes That Use Up Your Insurance Benefits

This one’s important: many pump companies and third-party platforms offer prenatal classes and say they’ll bill your insurance. That sounds great, right? Until you realize they’re using up your limited number of lactation visits.

For plans like Aetna, that could mean those free classes are costing you one of your six covered lactation visits—visits you might really need later when you’re dealing with latch pain, low supply, or pumping issues. And unfortunately, these companies don’t always make that clear until the benefit is already used.

Instead of spending your covered visits on generalized information, save them for personalized, hands-on help. An IBCLC who offers separate prenatal support can give you the education up front—without tapping into your postnatal support bank. You deserve full access to every visit your plan provides when and if you need them most.

It’s Not Just a Class—It’s Your First Line of Support

A prenatal consult or class with an IBCLC is more than information—it’s your first step in building a postpartum support system. When things feel uncertain (because spoiler: they probably will), you won’t be alone. You’ll already have someone in your corner who knows your baby’s name, your feeding preferences, and your heart for this journey.

Think of it like building your breastfeeding first aid kit before the storm (might) hit. You may not know what challenges you’ll face—pain, oversupply, reflux, pumping struggles—but you’ll have a plan, tools, and a guide who’s just a call away.

Breastfeeding is as emotional as it is physical. Having a familiar IBCLC ready to walk with you through those ups and downs is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success—not perfection, but a plan rooted in care and connection.

💛 Want to make sure you’re set up for feeding success before baby arrives? Book a prenatal class or consult with me and let’s start your breastfeeding story from a place of confidence and connection.
👉 Click here to schedule your prenatal consult

Because breastfeeding isn’t just a one-time event—it’s a journey. And you deserve someone who walks it with you. 💛